Low frequency medical device, method therefor, program and recording medium

ABSTRACT

Quantity and time for medical operation are measured after starting the medical operation (step S 1 ). Parameters in a parameter protection mode and parameters in a standard mode are compared so as to determine whether or not contents in the parameters coincide and whether or not five minutes passes (step S 2 ). If five minutes do not pass, it is detected whether or not a power supply switch is turned off (step S 4 ). If it is not turned off, the operation returns to the step S 1  so as to determine whether or not the power supply is turned off within five minutes in steps S 3  and S 4  while measuring the quantity and the time for the medical operation. If five minutes passes without turning off the power supply, data for the quantity and the time for the medical operation are loaded in a memory (step S 5 ). After that, the operation is completed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/844,164 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,519,427, filed on May 12, 2004 and claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application JP 2003-136081 filed with theJapanese Patent Office on May 14, 2003, the entire contents of which arebeing incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a low frequency medical device forperforming a medical operation so as to stimulate muscles and nerves byapplying a low frequency pulse to a human body, a method therefor, adevice, a program which is used in the method, and a recording mediumfor recording the program.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a low frequency medical device has been known forpurposes such as diet therapy, strengthening muscles, or curing pain ortension on an arm, a waist in human bodies by contracting muscles towhich several electrodes are disposed so as to apply a low frequencyelectric current (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Applications No.2003-10145 and No. 2002-345979).

In a case of such a low frequency medical device, an operator of amedical operation such as a doctor or a physical therapist consults witha user (patient) so as to determine necessary parameters for medicaloperations according to the use's condition and set the parameters in amedical device. For such parameters, it is possible to name a frequencyfor a low frequency pulse, a pulse width, and a time for the medicaloperation. The user bring back home a low frequency medical device inwhich the parameters are set so as to perform the medical operations athome. When the user activate the device under condition that electrodesof the device are disposed at predetermined positions on the user'sbody, the device is operated under a medical operation mode in which thepredetermined parameters are effective.

After the predetermined medical operations are completed, the uservisits the physical therapist or the doctor again. The physicaltherapist or the doctor asks predetermined questions to the user so asto evaluate the result for the medical operation according to theanswers from the user. Consequently, the physical therapist or thedoctor sets the parameters for the next medical operations according tothe necessity.

Also, in a conventional low frequency medical device, a pulse generatingcircuit for generating a low frequency pulse is used according to aswitching regulator method. FIG. 5A is a circuit diagram for showing animportant portion of a conventional pulse generating circuit.

In FIG. 5A, for example, 10 kHz of a switching pulse is inputted into aninput terminal 50 via a resistance R1 so as to switch a transistor Q1.Energy is stored in an inductance L from a power supply Vpp when thetransistor Q1 is turned off. The stored electric energy is charged in acondenser C via a diode D when the transistor Q1 is turned off. Thevoltage in the condenser C increases in the above manner. Polarity ofthe increases output is switched in a circuit which is disposed in arear stage such that a low frequency pulse can be obtained which hasnearly 1 to 100 Hz of a bipolar rectangular waveform as shown in FIG.5B.

However, in several cases in a conventional low frequency medicaldevice, there have been problems below when the user responds to thequestions by the physical therapist or the doctor. For example, thepatient reports to the physical therapist or the doctor that the patientperformed a medical operation at home even though the patient did notperform a medical operation actually. Also, the patient reports to thephysical therapist or the doctor that the patient performed the medicaloperation at home according to the parameters which are set by physicaltherapist or the doctor even though the patient did not perform themedical operation according to the parameters which are different fromthe parameters which are determined by the physical therapist or thedoctor. In other cases, the patient reports to the physical therapist orthe doctor that the patient performed the medical operation at homeaccording to the quantity and the time for the medical operation whichare set by physical therapist or the doctor even though the patient didnot perform the medical operation according to the above quantity andthe time for the medical operation which are different from those whichare determined by the physical therapist or the doctor.

Also, in a conventional pulse generating circuit according to aswitching regulator method which is shown in FIG. 5A, there has been aproblem in that it is not possible to obtain an output for increasingvoltage which is not greater than the power supply voltage (for example,12V). In a low frequency medical device, it is required that 1 to 45 Vof output voltage must be adjusted by every 1 (one) V such that theoutput voltage should begin with 1V so as to avoid applying a highvoltage to a human body instantly. It is not possible to obtain avoltage which is not greater than the power supply voltage Vpp in acircuit which is shown in FIG. 5A; thus, there has been a problem inthat it is not possible to satisfy the above requirement.

SUMMARY

The present invention is made for solving the above problem. An objectof the present invention is to provide a low frequency medical device inwhich it is possible to acknowledge the quantity of the medicaloperation and the time for the medical operation accurately.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low frequencymedical device in which it is possible to start with the output voltagewith 1V.

In order to solve the above problem, a low frequency medical device in apresent invention for performing a medical operation by applying a lowfrequency pulse voltage to predetermined sections of a human body viaelectrodes comprises a measuring device for measuring a quantity and/ora time for the medical operation by outputting the low frequency pulse,a timer device for measuring a predetermined time with reference to astart of the medical operation, a detecting device for detecting ashut-down of a power supply, and a storage device for storing a timeand/or a quantity for the medical operation which are measured by themeasuring device after the predetermined time passes under conditionthat the power supply is not shut down such that the medical operationis performed by using parameters which are set by an physical therapistor the doctor.

Also, a low frequency medical device in the present invention forperforming a medical operation by applying a low frequency pulse voltageto predetermined sections of a human body via electrodes includes apulse generating device for generating a low frequency pulse accordingto a switching regulator method, and a shut down device for a powersupply which is supplied to the pulse generating device during aturned-off period of a switching element which forms the pulsegenerating device.

A method for a low frequency medical operation in the present inventionby applying a low frequency pulse voltage to predetermined sections of ahuman body via electrodes comprises the steps for measuring a quantityand/or a time for the medical operation by outputting the low frequencypulse;

measuring a predetermined time with reference to a start of the medicaloperation, detecting a shut-down of a power supply, and storing a timeand/or a quantity for the medical operation which are measured by themeasuring device after the predetermined time passes under conditionthat the power supply is not shut down such that the medical operationis performed by using parameters which are set by an physical therapistor the doctor.

A computer program in the present invention for performing a medicaloperation by applying a low frequency pulse voltage to predeterminedsections of a human body via electrodes comprises the steps formeasuring a quantity and/or a time for the medical operation byoutputting the low frequency pulse, measuring a predetermined time withreference to a start of the medical operation, detecting a shut-down ofa power supply, and storing a time and/or a quantity for the medicaloperation which are measured by the measuring device after thepredetermined time passes under condition that the power supply is notshut down such that the medical operation is performed by usingparameters which are set by an physical therapist or the doctor.

Also, the computer program according to claim 13 is recorded in arecording medium of the present invention.

Operations

Therefore, in the present invention, the measured quantity of themedical operation and/or the time for the medical operations are storedwhen a predetermined period of time passes under condition that a powersupply is not turned off during the medical operation. Therefore, it ispossible to know the quantity of the medical operation and the time forthe medical operation in the low frequency medical operation accuratelyand display the quantity of the medical operation and the time for themedical operation.

Also, in the present invention, an electricity does not flow in acondenser from a power supply because a power supply is turned off whilethe switching element is turned off. Therefore, it is possible to setthe voltage in the condenser at the power supply voltage or lower.

As explained above, the quantity of the medical operation and the timefor the medical operation are stored when a predetermined period of timepasses after starting the medical operation. Therefore, by displayingthe quantity of the medical operation and the time for the medicaloperation, the physical therapist or the doctor can realize the quantityof the medical operation and the time for the medical operation which isperformed by the low frequency medical device which is used by the useraccurately so as to set the parameters in the next medical operation.

Also, according to the present invention, another switching elementwhich performs a synchronous operation with an ON/OFF operations in aswitching regulator is disposed so as to shut down the power supplyvoltage during the switching element is turned off. Therefore, it ispossible to set the output voltage at the power supply voltage or lower.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is an external view of the low frequency medical deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is afront view therefor.

FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram for the low frequency medicaldevice.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operations in the first embodiment of the lowfrequency medical device.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for a pulse generating circuit in the lowfrequency medical device according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are circuit diagrams of a pulse generating circuit whichis used in a conventional low frequency medical device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are explained below with referenceto attached drawings.

FIG. 1A is an external view of the low frequency medical deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is afront view therefor. The low frequency medical device according to thepresent embodiment outputs two channels such as CH1 and CH2 of the lowfrequency pulse.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, low frequency pulse outputting terminals 15, 16 aredisposed on an upper surface of a casing 10. Plugs 19 to which a pair ofelectrodes 17 are connected via a lead wire 18 are connectable to thelow frequency pulse outputting terminals 15, 16 respectively such thatit is possible to perform the medical operation in both channelssimultaneously. Various switches 1 to 9 which are formed by twelve pushbuttons and a liquid crystal display section 14 are disposed on a sidesurface of the casing 10. Switches 1 to 9 are as follows. Referencenumeral SW1 indicates a CH1 up-down switch. Reference numeral SW2indicates a CH2 output up-down switch. Reference numeral SW3 indicates aparameter setting up-down switch. Reference numeral SW4 indicates aparameter selecting switch. Reference numeral SW5 indicates an outputmode selecting switch. Reference numeral SW6 indicates a key-lockswitch. Reference numeral SW7 indicates an alternating switch. Referencenumeral SW8 indicates a switch for displaying quantity and time for themedical operation. Reference numeral SW9 indicates a power supplyswitch.

A CH1 output display section 11, a CH2 output display section 12, and anoutput mode display section 13 are disposed in a liquid crystal displaysection 14. Necessary data such as an output (level), a frequency, apulse width, quantity of the medical operation, a time for the medicaloperation, etc. are displayed in a numeral form in the CH1 outputdisplay section 11 and CH2 output display section 12. A selected outputmode is displayed in the output mode display section 13.

For such an output mode, it is possible to name modes which indicatefive output patterns such as a CONST mode in which a pulse which has aconstant output and frequency is outputted, a BURST mode in which apulse which has a constant output and frequency is outputted for acertain period periodically, a SURGE mode in which a pulse which has aconstant output and frequency is outputted gradually increasing mannerand gradually decreasing manner, a SWEEP mode in which a frequency isswept at a constant output so as to be outputted, and a RANDOM mode inwhich the frequency which has a constant output is altered randomly soas to be outputted. When one of the output modes is selected, a symbolmark which indicates the selected output mode is displayed in the outputmode display section 13.

FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram for the low frequency medicaldevice.

In FIG. 2, a power supply voltage Vcc which is outputted from a powersupply 20 which is formed by a dry cell is supplied to necessarycircuits such as a CPU 21, a memory 22, etc. Also, the power supplyvoltage Vcc is enhanced in the a power supply voltage enhancing section23. After the voltage Vcc is protected in a circuit protection element24, the voltage Vcc is switched in a power supply switching section 25which is controlled by the CPU 21 so as to form two channels of voltageVpp1 and Vpp2. The two channels of voltage Vpp1 and Vpp2 are supplied toa CH1 output voltage enhancing section 26 and a CH2 output voltageenhancing section 27 respectively which are controlled by the CPU 21.Polarity of the voltage which is enhanced in the CH1 output voltageenhancing section 26 is switched in a CH1 output polarity switchingsection 28 so as to form a low frequency pulse which is shown in FIG.5B. Consequently, voltage which is enhanced in the CH1 output voltageenhancing section 26 is outputted from the output terminal 15. Polarityof the voltage which is enhanced in the CH2 output voltage enhancingsection 27 is switched in a CH2 output polarity switching section 29 soas to form a similar low frequency pulse. Consequently, voltage which isenhanced in the CH2 output voltage enhancing section 27 is outputtedfrom the output terminal 16. Here, the CH1 output polarity switchingsection 28 and the CH2 output polarity switching section 29 arecontrolled by the CPU 21.

A memory 22 which is formed by an EEPROM and the liquid crystal displaysection 14 are connected to the CPU 21. Furthermore, the switches 1 to 9which are formed by twelve push-buttons and a reset section 30 whichperforms a power-on resetting operation are connected to the CPU 21.Furthermore, a source oscillation device 31 which generates a clock isconnected the CPU 21. Also, a power supply voltage monitoring section 32in the CPU 21 monitors the power supply voltage Vcc. Here, memories suchas a controlling program ROM and working RAM are formed in one-chipcondition together with the CPU 21.

Consequently, operations in the above structure is explained.

The low frequency medical device in the present embodiment is operatedunder various modes such as a standard mode, a parameter protectionmode, a parameter setting mode, or display mode for the quntity and thetime for the medical operation selectively. Next, above modes areexplained generally.

First, a standard mode is explained.

When a power is turned on from a power supply switch SW9, a standardmode is established. Either one of the modes such as a CONST mode, aBURST mode, a SURGE mode, a SWEEP mode, or a RANDOM mode is selected bythe output mode selecting switch SW5. Next, outputs such as a level andintensity of the CH1 and CH2 are adjusted by the CH1 up-down switch SW1and the CH2 output up-down switch SW2. Here, it is possible to adjustthe output by every 1 (one) V as long as the voltage is between 0 to 45V. The output of the low frequency pulse is started from 1V. Also, atimer starts counting the time synchronously with the start of theoutput such that the output is turned off after a time which is pre-setby a timer for the medical operation passes.

Also, when a key-lock switch SW6 is pushed down, the operations exceptthe key-lock switch SW6 and the power supply switch SW9 are invalid.When the key-lock switch SW6 is pushed again, such a key-lock conditionis released. The key-lock switch SW6 is valid only when the standardmode is established. Also, if the alternating switch SW7 is pushed whenthe SURGE mode is established, the outputs from the CH1 and the CH2 areperformed alternately. If the alternating switch SW7 is pushed again,such alternate output stops.

Also, values which are stored in the memory 22 start being rewritten tobe a default value by pushing the key-lock switch SW6, the alternatingswitch SW7, and the switch SW8 for displaying quantity and time for themedical operation simultaneously. During such a period, the liquiddisplay blinks so as to be reset after the rewriting operation iscompleted.

Next, when the output is 0 (zero) in the above standard mode, if theparameter selecting switch SW4 and the output mode selecting switch SW5are pushed simultaneously, the mode transcends to a parameter protectionmode is established. First, the output mode is selected by the outputmode selecting switch SW5 in the parameter protection mode. If eitherone of mode among a CONST mode, a BURST mode, a SURGE mode, or a SWEEPmode is selected except a RANDOM mode, an output frequency is set by theparameter setting up-down switch SW3 at first. Next, the output pulsewidth is set by the parameter setting up-down switch SW3. Furthermore, atime for the medical operation is set by the parameter setting up-downswitch SW3 in a timer. Finally, the channel output is adjusted by theCH1 up-down switch SW1 and the CH2 output up-down switch SW2.

Here, it may be acceptable if the output is adjusted under conditionthat an electrode 17 is disposed on a human body of the user such thatthe output is set while the user realizes the output physically.

Also, in the RANDOM mode, the output is adjusted by the CH1 up-downswitch SW1 and the CH2 output up-down switch SW2 after only the time forthe medical operation is set by the parameter setting up-down switchSW3.

After the above setting operations are confirmed by pushing theparameter selecting switch SW4. The values for the confirmed parametersare stored in the memory 22 which is shown in FIG. 2.

Here, in the parameter protection mode, the medical operation iscompleted for 15 (fifteen) minutes in maximum with regardless to thesettings in the timer. Also, the parameter protection mode is releasedif the parameter selecting switch SW4 and the output mode selectingswitch SW5 are pushed simultaneously. Also, the parameter values are notstored while the parameters are being set. When the parameter protectionmode is released, the parameter values are stored in the memory 22.Also, if the power supply is turned off during the medical operation,the latest parameter values before the power supply is turned off arestored.

Next, when the output is 0 (zero) in the standard mode, if the parameterselecting switch SW4 is pushed, the mode is transcends to a parametersetting mode. As similar to the above explained parameter protectionmode, the output mode is selected and a frequency, a pulse width, a timefor the medical operation are set and confirmed. The confirmed parametervalues are stored in the memory. The parameter setting mode is performedin the same manner as that in the parameter protection mode except thatthe output is 0 (zero) in the parameter setting mode.

Next, when the output is 0 (zero) in the standard mode, if the switchSW8 for displaying the quantity and the time for the medical operationis pushed, the mode transcends to a quantity and time for the medicaloperation display mode. In this mode, at first, an accumulative quantityfor the medical operation is displayed. If the switch SW8 for displayingthe quantity and the time for the medical operation is pushed again, anaccumulative time for the medical operation so far is displayed. If theswitch SW8 for displaying the quantity and the time for the medicaloperation is pushed furthermore under condition that the time formedical operation is displayed, the display blinks. If the switch SW8for displaying the quantity and the time for the medical operation ispushed once more, the data for the quantity and the time for the medicaloperation are cleared; thus, the mode returns to the standard mode.

The quantity of medical operation and the time for the medical operationare measured during the medical operation such that accumulated valuefor the quantity and the time for the medical operation are stored inthe memory 22 every time the medical operation is completed.

In the present embodiment, the above quantity and the time for themedical operation (data which include the quantity and the time in thelatest 5 (five) minutes) are loaded in the memory 22 after apredetermined period of time such as a five minutes passes after theuser starts the medical operation. That is, if the user stops themedical operation by turning off the power supply within five minutesafter the user starts the medical operation, the quantity and the timefor the medical operation during such a period are not accumulated inthe memory; thus, the physical therapist or the doctor may be able toknow accurate values by checking the contents in the memory even if theuser reports to the physical therapist or the doctor falsely.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for performing the above operations.

In FIG. 3, when the medical operation starts, the quantity and the timefor the medical operation are measured (Step S1). Next, it is determinedwhether or not the parameter memories which are set by the physicaltherapist or the doctor and the parameters in the standard mode memorycoincide (Step S2). If the parameters coincide, it is determined whetheror not five minutes passes (Step S3). If the parameters do not coincide,it is determined whether or not the time expires after a predeterminedperiod of time passes (Step S4). If it is determined that the timeexpires, the steps are completed because the power supply is turned offautomatically (Step S6) by operating the switch manually or leaving thecondition for a certain period of time. If it is determined that thetime does not expire, the steps return to the step S1 so as to determinewhether or not the power supply is turned off within five minutes in thestep S3 while maintaining the measurement for the quantity and the timefor the medical operation. After five minutes passes without turning offthe power supply, the data which indicate the measurement result for thequantity and the time for the medical operation are loaded in the memory22 (Step S5). After that, the latter operations after the time expiresin the step S4 are performed.

According to the present embodiment, the data for the quantity and thetime for the medical operation are loaded in the memory if apredetermined period of time passes after the medical operation startsand the parameter memories which are set by the physical therapist orthe doctor and the parameters in the standard mode memory coincide. Thephysical therapist or the doctor may be able to know the quantity andthe time for the medical operation in the low frequency medical devicewhich is used by the user accurately so as to set the parameters for thenext medical operation.

Also, if the user turns on and off the power supply so frequently orchanges the parameters so variously that the condition for the medicaloperation is not constant in the above predetermined period of time,such a variance is acknowledged as a noise so as to be ignored.Therefore, it is possible to measure the quantity and the time for themedical operation reliably.

Also, the parameters which are confirmed and the latest parameters whichare confirmed before the power supply is turned off are stored.Therefore, it is possible to know the parameter values which areconfirmed by displaying these parameters and re-use these parameters.

Here, in the present embodiment, explanations are made for a case inwhich the quantity and the time for the medical operation are loaded inthe memory. However, more importantly, it may be acceptable if theoutput electricity, the consumed electricity, the consumed wattage, etc.can be loaded in the memory.

Also, in the present embodiment, the parameters are loaded in the memoryafter a predetermined period of time passes. However, more importantly,it may be acceptable if the output electricity, the consumedelectricity, or the consumed wattage, etc. reaches to the predeterminedvalues. Also, if the patient changes the parameters which are set by thephysical therapist or the doctor so as to perform the medical operation,such a period of time is not regarded as a medical operation from a viewpoint of confirming whether or not the medical operation which isprescribed by the physical therapist or the doctor is performedreliably. That is, only when the parameters in the standard mode and theparameters in the parameter protection mode coincide when the medicaloperation starts or after the medical operation starts, the time for themedical operation is counted under condition that the medical operationis maintained and a predetermined period of time passes. If theseparameters do not coincide, it is determined that the patient changesthe parameters which are set by the physical therapist or the doctor;thus, the time for the medical operation is not counted.

Also, it is possible to determine whether or not the parameters in thestandard mode and the parameters in the parameter protection modecoincide as similarly to the above case before starting the medicaloperation. If such a coincidence is established, time count is effectiveafter a certain period of time passes by maintaining the medicaloperation under such a condition.

FIG. 4 shows a general structure for an important portion in the pulsegenerating circuit in the low frequency medical device according to asecond embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the samereference numerals are applied to corresponding members as shown in FIG.5A so as to omit the repeated explanation thereof.

In the present embodiment, a PNP transistor Q2 is connected to an NPNtransistor Q1 in serial as shown in the drawing such that a switchingpulse for activating the transistor Q1 can be supplied to the transistorQ2 via an inverter IN and a resistance R2. Also, a pulse which has 31kHz is used for a switching pulse. In a conventional case, such a pulsehas approximately 10 kHz for the switching pulse.

According to the present embodiment, the transistors Q1 and Q2 areturned on and off synchronously by a common switching pulse such thatthe power supply voltage Vpp is shut down when the transistors are in anOFF condition. Therefore, less electricity flows in the condenser C fromthe power supply; thus, it is possible to set a terminal voltage in thecondenser C to be the power supply voltage such as 12V or lower. Also,the frequency for the switching operation is set at a high value;therefore, a resolution of the output voltage is high accordingly. Forexample, it is possible to adjust the output voltage by every 1V.

Next, a computer program and a recording medium for storing the computerprogram according to the present embodiment are explained.

A computer program for a CPU in a computer system in a device accordingto the present invention to perform operations according to themovements in FIG. 1 and processes shown in a flow chart in FIG. 3 formsa program for the present invention.

Also, a recording medium for storing the computer program forms acomputer-readable recording medium according to the present invention.It is possible to use media such as an optical-magnetic disk, an opticaldisk, a semiconductor memory, and a magnetic recording medium for such arecording medium. These recording media may be used with a ROM(read-only-memory), a RAM (random-access-memory), a flexible disk, or amemory card.

Such a recording medium includes a volatile memory for maintaining acomputer program for a certain period of time such as a RAM in acomputer system which serves as a server or a client such that a programis transmitted via a network such as Internet or via a communicationline such as a telephone line.

Also, it may be acceptable if the above computer program may betransmitted to other computer system from a computer system in which theabove computer program is stored in a storage device etc. via atransmission medium or via a transmission wave in a transmission medium.Here, the above transmission medium indicates a medium which has afunction for transmitting information. For example, it is possible toname a network (communication network) such as Internet and acommunication circuit (communication line) such as a telephone line.

Also, it may be acceptable if the above computer program is used forrealizing a part of the above function. Furthermore, it may beacceptable if the above computer program is formed by combining acomputer program which is already stored in the computer system so as torealize the above function. For such a program, it is possible to name adifferential file (differential program).

Therefore, it is possible to realize similar function and effect to thefunction and the effect which are explained in the above embodiments byusing the computer program and the recording medium according to thepresent invention in a system or a device which are different from thosein the drawing and executing the computer program by the computer systemor the computer in the device; thus, it is possible to achieve theobjects of the present invention.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A low frequency medical device performing a medical operation byapplying a low frequency pulse voltage to predetermined sections of ahuman body via electrodes comprising: a pulse generating device forgenerating the low frequency pulse according to a switching regulatormethod, wherein the pulse generating device is supplied with a switchingpulse frequency greater than about 30 kHz; a shut down device forshutting down a power supply which is supplied to the pulse generatingdevice during a turned-off period of a first switching element and asecond switching element which form the pulse generating device; and acapacitor which is connected in series to the first switching elementand the second switching element, wherein no electricity flows into thecapacitor during the turned-off period of the first switching elementand the second switching element, and wherein the terminal voltage ofthe capacitor is set lower than or equal to a power supply voltage. 2.The low frequency medical device according to claim 1, wherein the shutdown device is the second switching device which is connected to thefirst switching device in series and shuts down the power supply to thepulse generating device by being turned on/off in synchronization withthe first switching device.